CAMERAS and video cameras have been banned in all of York's public swimming pools amid fears that paedophiles could circulate the images on the internet.

New signs have been put in place warning people not to film or take pictures of children in City of York Council's pools during public sessions at the Barbican, Edmund Wilson and Yearsley.

However, specially-booked children's pool parties are not included in the ban - as a free disposable camera is included in the party package.

Swimming pool bosses say many signs had been in place for some time, but more had now been put up in response to calls from the council's Child Protection Unit.

Many parents at the pool agreed with the ban, although one said the measure was over the top.

Father-of-two Ian Cundall said: "I totally agree with a ban, you need to protect the children."

A mother-of three said: "I think I agree, I don't see why there's any need to photograph children at a pool.

"But they ban photography and if you have a party in the swimming pool they give you a free disposable camera - it's a bit contradictory."

But mother-of two Fiaux Sybille said she feared the ban would have little effect on determined paedophiles.

She said: "I don't think this sort of ban reduces that sort of thing happening - the ban's too extreme.

"I think there is overprotection for children, which does not help them cope with more difficult situations. If they are in a pampered environment they will not be able to cope with real life."

Shane Chalmers, head of TLM which is in charge of all the city's leisure centres, said: "This has come primarily from the Child Protection Unit issuing guidance to leisure providers.

"There had been some incidents where photographs had been taken in and around swimming pools and had appeared on websites and various publications.

"We are implementing their advice. The response from the public has been very positive and, in private bookings, we ask whether people do want to take photographs. This applies to public sessions."

Updated: 09:18 Saturday, June 28, 2003